made it to Delhi! still smiling after the long flight (actually two long flights for mom and dad)
our midnight arrival was "welcomed" by a huge line to get thru customs
at the airport: "European" toilet...
...and "Indian" toilet
still waiting in line...but happy to be on the ground
after spending almost 2 hours in the customs line, we STILL had to wait on our baggage!
happy to make it to the hotel in one piece
the "shower" (?)
the view from our room
Dad stuffed newspaper under the A/C to keep the mosquitoes out
looks like someone took the bathroom mirror, and the light too!
exposed wires in the hotel room
goofing around at 3am
exposed light bulb was the only "decoration", and it didn't even work!
the streets below our hotel were bustling with activity
the schoolkids dress very nicely
...and so do the rickshaw drivers
so much was going on in the streets - things being sold everywhere
monkey temple
notice how there are two sets of cars in one lined lane - every bit of space was used on the road, and the lines are pretty much ignored
the view from our 5-star hotel - what a contrast in how people live
many homes are packed in tight and very basic
some more well-dressed commuters
another example of traffic lanes being ignored
so much is on the sidewalks (things for sale, and people lying around), there's hardly any room to walk
taking a break from our tour of Delhi to try our first Indian meal
Dad knows the right way to wash down the Indian spices...
Kingfisher beer, mmm mmmm
they weren't sure what to expect, but ended up liking it!
cheers!
"McDelivery"
biking and talking on the cell phone -- just like Amsterdam!
the "India Gate"
The India Gate commemorates Indian soldiers who died in World War I
another temple
cows roam freely anywhere
traffic chaos
kids sitting and playing by the fire... on the sidewalk (?!)
McD's is everywhere
notice how there's just one English word in this ad
our driver and his Ferrari
Dad soaking it all in from the front seat
the driver thought of everything for us
the kids' "schoolbus"
we saw bikes carrying all kinds of things
ox carts are a familiar site on the roads
the loads we saw on bikes got bigger and bigger
cows in the middle of the street
serious carpooling
the family "SUV"
several buildings seemed to be in a constant state of construction (or was it de-struction)
camels share the road too
!
we still couldn't get used to seeing cows in the median
is that cotton candy he's carrying on his bike?
Mom found a new friend
cattle crossing
another temple!
another crazy bike load!
another cow walking down the street!
horse-cart
some people living by the highway
seemed like a very close call...but it all works out somehow
signalling with hands is more common than with blinkers
they stuff the little rickshaws full of people
we rode in a rickshaw to the Taj Mahal
a nervous smile!
our first view of the Taj Mahal - from the top floor of a nearby hotel
the nearby housing of the workers who helped build the Taj Mahal
quite a contrast
walking to the entrance of the Taj Mahal was an adventure in itself, navigating down traffic-filled streets and pushing past all the local shop vendors
finally made it to the entrance - notice all the colorful fabrics worn by the local women, so beautiful
the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by an emperor in the 1600's in memory of his late wife
an impressive structure - especially the intricateness of the stonework in the marble walls
local workers are constantly maintaining the site
the structure wasn't as large as we expected, but there was a huge area open area surrounding it with trees and reflection pools
"Yummmy-Yummy Food"
within spitting distance
we got to see how they make the jeweled stones for the Taj Mahal
enjoying their second Indian meal!
yummmy-yummy food
cows always get right of way
"Export Rejected Sale"
people just walk in the middle of the streets
quite a load
appreciating how this hotel has a mirror in the bathroom, AND a shower!
cheeeeeeeeese
it was easy to forget it's Christmastime...
...so at least the hotel had a reminder in the lobby
our nice welcome to the Chennai airport!
my new sister-in-law
the happy couple
the hotel where the reception was to be held had really nice rooms
taking a break
exchanging money - rupees, swiss francs, dollars - oh my!
havin a good time!
impressive chandelier in the hotel lobby
old-timey phones
da girlz
enjoying the hotel's free happy hour
all smiles
the elevator mirror's view
Dad with the doorman and our driver
Chennai had such serious flooding while we were there that they cancelled school for a day
the whole family together again
socializing at the Abrahams' home
nice to have family to hang out with in such a far away place
breakfast at the hotel was really nice
so was the pool
stark contrast to the life on the streets outside the hotel
sunbathing in late December
ING is everywhere
trying on some "Salwar Kameez"
smiling sisters
Mom had fun with trying different local foods
the "sidewalk" just outside our hotel
wires over the sidewalk
all dressed up for the wedding reception
there were so many beautiful dresses and sarees
the happy couple sat onstage facing the crowd of 500+ guests
celebrities for a night!
daughter of the former president of India and her family
mom and sisters, all decked out
all the ladies on the back row are studying to become doctors
the chef and other staff took very good care of us all
ma and daughter
the view from second hotel in Chennai - shows how green it is (especially compared to Delhi)
horse cart right out of a fairy tale
Christmas tree seemed out of place in such a tropical setting
nice resort hotel on the beach
driving always seems to be an adventure around here
very impressive
crocodile farm - over 500 in just this one pen
"Crocs -R- Cool"
not Disney World, but close...
VIDEO - life goes on outside our hotel
VIDEO - traffic seems chaotic outside our hotel, but somehow it all works
VIDEO - things are being sold on the streets everywhere you look
VIDEO - close call!
VIDEO - never-ending action on the streets
VIDEO - oncoming traffic (!)
